20 Dead in Fiery Bus Accident Near Kurnool: Shipment of Smartphones Fuels Blaze
Collision, fire, and explosions turn a routine Hyderabad–Bengaluru journey into a deadly inferno; forensic probe links smartphone batteries and fuel leak to massive blaze.
Tragedy Strikes Andhra Pradesh in Early Morning Hours
A devastating bus accident occurred near Chinnatekur village in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district early Friday morning. The private bus, carrying around 40 passengers from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, collided with a motorcycle before catching fire. According to eyewitnesses, heavy rain at the time made the road slippery, which may have caused the accident.
Bus Carrying ₹46 Lakh Worth of Smartphones
Investigations revealed that the bus was also transporting 234 smartphones worth ₹46 lakh as parcel cargo. A businessman from Hyderabad had shipped the phones to an e-commerce company in Bengaluru. Forensic experts believe that explosions from the lithium batteries of these smartphones intensified the fire after the crash.
Fuel Leakage and Battery Explosion Worsened the Flames
Director General of Andhra Pradesh Fire Services, P. Venkataramana, stated that the fire was triggered by oil leakage from the bus and petrol spilling from the motorcycle. The bus’s AC battery also exploded, causing the blaze to spread rapidly. Within minutes, the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames.
Survivors Escaped Through Windows
Around 10 to 12 passengers reportedly managed to escape by breaking the bus windows, but the rest were trapped inside and perished in the inferno. Rescue teams rushed to the spot and launched emergency operations to recover bodies and assist the injured. The fire department struggled for hours to bring the flames under control.
PM Modi Expresses Condolences, Announces Compensation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident, announcing an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said in a statement.
Safety Lessons and Urgent Questions
Experts have stressed the urgent need for stricter safety protocols on long-distance buses. Passengers are advised to immediately locate emergency exits, cover their nose and mouth with cloth to avoid smoke inhalation, and move calmly toward the nearest exit in case of fire.
This tragic accident has raised serious questions about road safety, especially regarding the transport of flammable materials such as electronic goods and fuel on passenger buses.
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